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What is Endocrine Surgery?

Why the rhino picture you ask? The Indian rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) is the mascot of endocrine surgery all over the world. In May of 1834 the Zoological Society in London obtained an Indian rhino for display. It passed away fifteen years later and a postmortem exam was performed by Richard Owen who was a member of the Royal College of Surgeons. He published a paper about the rhino describing the parathyroid gland as a “small compact yellow glandular body that was attached to the thyroid”. This discovery has led to the Indian rhino becoming the mascot of endocrine surgeons everywhere!

Endocrine surgery is an area of general surgery that deals with diseases of the parathyroid, thyroid, adrenal glands, pancreas, and some gastrointestinal tumors. The needs of the endocrine patient differ greatly from other areas of medicine. We approach these unique needs in a multidisciplinary manner with the help of our fellow endocrinologists, radiologists, and pathologists. We also use cutting edge technologies and minimally invasive techniques to bring world class surgery to the Rio Grande Valley. Our team has a combined surgical experience of over 55 years.

While the majority of endocrine surgery is performed by general surgeons, it has been shown that outcomes are improved when completed by specialists. These specialists include general surgeons who have focused themselves on the practice endocrine surgery or surgeons that received additional post graduate training in the practice of endocrine surgery.

In order to stay abreast of the latest findings, we are members of and regularly attend events provided by: